Bob is my battery-operated-boyfriend.  We get along great, but he doesn’t like to talk much.  He sings to me, well it’s more like a hum, and he’s a great listener.

Sometimes I get lonely.  Bob isn’t cuddly and when I’m done, he’s done with me.  Bob and I have an understanding.  If I have friends over or – and this is rare – a male friend, he stays hidden and doesn’t bother us.

He’s not jealous.  I can talk to whomever I want and he’ll always be there for me.  I’ve made mistakes in the past, but he’s always there to heal my wounds.

But I can’t take him out to dinner without getting stared at.  He just doesn’t fit in.  I can’t take him out to the movies and he’s never met my parents.  I dream of a relationship I don’t have to be ashamed of.  I dream of a relationship where I can hold hands with my partner, take a walk in the park, take him to meet my parents.  Bob doesn’t share my dreams. 

But Bob has been with me a long time.  I don’t want to hurt Bob and replace him with somebody else.  I need to share him with someone, hopefully someone who will understand our relationship.

Tonight, I’m going out, without Bob.